If you've ever felt overwhelmed by the sheer abundance of fitness advice out there, you're not alone. It can be surprisingly difficult to find basic recommendations amid so much information about celebrity workouts and the latest fitness craze. For most people, the simplest exercise guidelines and tips are the best, since they apply to workouts of so many types.
Schedule Workouts
If work, parenting duties and household chores fill your day, exercise probably won't be a priority until you make it one. In order to work out consistently and see results in your body, stop waiting until you have some spare time, and simply make time. Whether you exercise three times per week or every day, pencil in your workouts just like you would a dentist appointment or a lunch meeting, and they'll soon become a consistent and predictable part of your routine.
Start Slow
Enthusiasm can be an asset when you're starting a new workout routine, but be careful about trying to do too much too soon. Most people begin an exercise program full of motivation, so they throw themselves into a grueling routine that's almost impossible to maintain. To avoid exercise burnout, begin with just two or three 30-minute bouts of exercise per week, then build up the frequency, length or intensity of your workouts gradually.
Make It Fun
One of the most common reasons people give up on exercise is that they're bored or just plain miserable with their workout routines. But if you can find a way to enjoy your workouts, you're that much more likely to see the benefits of a consistent program. Try to find a way to socialize while you exercise, by finding a running buddy, taking a kickboxing class with a friend or organizing stroller walks with the other moms in your neighborhood.
Don't Get Too Comfortable
As important as it is to enjoy exercise, working out shouldn't be like settling in to watch reruns of your favorite show. Regardless of whether you're striving to lose weight or not, you should always be aiming to challenge your body just a little bit more. According to the American Council on Exercise, your body can adapt to an exercise routine after just six to eight weeks, at which point you may stop seeing results from your workouts. Every two to three weeks, try shaking up your routine by trying a new activity, adding intensity bursts to your usual cardio or changing the order of your strength-training exercises.
Try Quickie Workouts
If your schedule is too busy for long workouts, or you find yourself getting bored quickly, try dividing your exercise time into several short bursts. So instead of your usual 30-minute jog, try 10 minutes on the treadmill first thing in the morning, 10 minutes when you get home from work and another 10 while you watch your favorite show after dinner.
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